Indian Railways prepare isolation coaches in trains to fight coronavirus

Following a feasibility study conducted by the Indian Railways, train coaches have been set up as isolation wards to fight against the novel coronavirus, which has been spreading at an alarming rate across the world.

"The Railways will offer clean, sanitized and hygienic surroundings for the patients to comfortably recover," stated Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Railways, earlier today. Features of the isolation coach reportedly include bathrooms created by renovating toilets and electrical modifications for medical instruments. "One prototype has been converted into the Isolation ward now. If this is finalized, Railway is planning that in every zone of railways, 10 coaches per week will be converted into an isolation ward," an Indian Railways official said. Also, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has been setting up a plan to serve meals in different parts of the country and hospitals if the need arises. Videos posted on the ministry of health and family welfare's website are reportedly being used to train staff.

PM Narendra Modi imposed a nationwide lockdown that came into effect on March 25 at 12.00 am and will be enforced for 21 days, in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. 984 cases and 21 deaths have been reported in the country so far.